FC Barcelona has understood that the only way to fulfill Leo Messi's wish to end his career in Europe dressed as a blaugrana is to tighten his belt. The savings and cuts will not only affect the first team, but this time it will be the turn of all the sections and the different departments. It must be a collective effort because Joan Laporta's board of directors is determined to reduce expenses to make room for the Argentine champion. They are not just words, but the board has put that commitment in writing and is going to present it to LaLiga to try to reach the summer market without restrictions and within the 1 to 1 rule (every million that comes out can be reinvested) and thus being able to reinforce Xavi's team.
Barça has prepared its economic viability plan for the 2023-24 season that it will present to LaLiga before April 30. This is when all the clubs must send their budgets and plans and, based on this, LaLiga establishes the cost limit of the sports squad. Barcelona's intention is to present this package of measures to the employers to balance their accounts with the aim that Javier Tebas's organization gives it its approval.
If so, Barça will be able to complete several operations that it has in the air, such as the registrations of Gavi and Araújo, the renewal of Balde – right now these three are the priorities, according to Barcelona sources – and the already agreed arrival of Iñigo Martínez, that he will arrive free from Athletic.
But there is more. There is a world star who is very aware of Barça's capacity for action: Messi.
Within the planning for the next course, the Barcelona entity is also working with the return of Leo Messi to the squad. In the numbers that he has sent to LaLiga this possibility is included, well broken down. Joan Laporta expects it to be validated.
Barça needs to have the green light from LaLiga to definitively launch for the return of the Argentine footballer. Hence, in recent weeks the football director, Mateu Alemany, has been working hard on the economic proposal to the employers, a project that the club must undertake in the coming months. There are just over two months left until July 1 and the opening of the transfer window
The dream is to see Leo Messi dressed in the Barça shirt again. The Argentine contract ends in June with PSG, so he is free to negotiate his future and is waiting for the offer of his life club, in which he played 17 years in the first team. For Barça the numbers add up. In the club they are optimistic with the found formula. But first they must convince the financial control of Thebes with palpable figures and obtain a fair play before making the final approach.
On everyone's mind is the way in which Messi left Barcelona in August 2021, when both parties had already reached an agreement that, at the moment of truth, it was impossible to translate into a contract and register him to compete.
“I hope that Barcelona make the necessary movements to fit Messi. I am your fan. But we will not change any normal economic control so that it returns, ”Javier Tebas assured on Wednesday. At Barça they say that their intention is in no case to put pressure on LaLiga. The sequence will not be to sign him and then pass the potato on to Thebes, but rather that the club wants to do things hand in hand, which is why it has informed of its plans and the calculation of the increase in income that a second stage for Messi would entail. That also helps.
This project includes, above all, a series of cut measures that must be carried out before July. The salary reduction is one of them. Barça exceeds the salary limit and requires significant savings. Hence the renewal offer to Busquets, for one campaign, is very low. Barça is also considering some unpopular casualties that will allow them to oxygenate their box.
If in the offices they manage to eliminate the 200 million left over in expenses, the return of Messi, two years after his departure, would be feasible. But the news is that the planning is done with the Argentine, world champion and winner of The Best, under the orders of Xavi. The tactical fit will depend on the technician. But first the club must tighten its belt.
